Harvey W. Freishtat is counsel to the law firm of McDermott Will & Emery LLP and is based in the Firm’s Boston office. Harvey has held a series of senior management positions over many years, including Chairman of the Firm. He has been instrumental in leading McDermott as it has grown into one of the world’s largest law firms (Top 25) with many branded areas of specialization.
During Harvey’s tenure as Chairman, McDermott opened additional offices in Europe and the United States as well as a strategic affiliated office in Shanghai. The Firm also enhanced and integrated its geographic and practice strengths in the United States and globally. During his tenure, McDermott became a leader among U.S.-based firms in a number of areas related to professional development, diversity and pro bono.
Among his earlier senior management responsibilities, Harvey served as chair of the Firm’s Compensation Committee where he helped develop a system of compensation to facilitate the Firm’s evolution into a large international law firm. Similarly, as chair of the Firm’s first Practice Integration Committee, Harvey spearheaded various initiatives to enhance client service by improving communication and coordination within the Firm’s platform and with Firm clients.
Harvey began his McDermott career in 1981 as the founding partner of the Firm’s Boston office and the Firm’s New England health law practice. His practice focused on transactional and regulatory work in the health care industry involving many of New England’s most significant health care providers and insurers. Harvey is recognized as a pioneer in the field of health law, having practiced in this area since 1972. For the many years of his career prior to transitioning to full-time Firm management, Harvey was regularly ranked by peer-selected publications, including Best Lawyers in America, as a leader in his field.
Education
- Harvard Law School, J.D., 1972
- Princeton University, B.A., 1968
